General
FAFSA & Federal Aid
Need Access Application & Need-Based Grants
Summer Work-Study
Transfer Students
FAFSA & Federal Aid
Q: Does the UCLA School of Law have its own FAFSA code?
A: No, our FAFSA code is the same for undergraduates, graduate, and professional students: 001315.
Q: Have you received my FAFSA?
A: UCLA will download FAFSA applications after the March 2nd deadline. Confirming that UCLA is listed as one of your institutions on your Student Aid Report (SAR) once your application is processed by the federal processor assures you that UCLA has your FAFSA application.
Q: Do you require that I submit parental information on the FAFSA?
A: No--graduate students are automatically considered independent for purposes of federal financial aid, therefore you do not need to complete the parent information section of the FAFSA.
Q: I am applying to more than ten schools--how do I know it is safe to remove the original schools of my application so that I can then submit my FAFSA to other institutions?
A: When you receive your SAR indicating that the federal processor has processed your application, it is safe to go back to the FAFSA website to remove the original schools and add additional ones.
Q: I applied to more than ten schools but need to update my FAFSA record. How do I do this?
A: When you receive your SAR indicating that the federal processor has processed your corrections, it is safe to go back to the FAFSA website to remove the original schools and submit corrections for the additional ones.
Q: My taxes will not be completed prior to your deadline. Is it OK to use estimates when completing the FAFSA?
A: It is fine to use your best estimates when completing the FAFSA. You will need to update your FAFSA once you do actually file your tax return. If you are offered and accept admission, then we will notify you if we need any forms or documents. Until then, you are not required to send us any tax forms and you should update the FAFSA by May 1. Please note that if your file is selected for verification, a hold may be placed on your financial aid disbursement until we receive your completed tax returns.
Q: I am an international student--do I need to submit a FAFSA?
A: A student must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen in order to receive federal financial aid. Students who do not fall into either category are not eligible for federal financial aid and thus do not need to complete the FAFSA. For information on federal eligibility, you may refer to the chapter on "Citizenship" in the Federal Student Aid Handbook at the following link: http://ifap.ed.gov/fsahandbook/1112FSAHbkVol1.html
Q: What is the annual Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limit for graduate students?
A: All law students who submit a FAFSA and meet eligibility requirements are entitled to receive an annual allocation of $20,500 in a Direct Loan regardless of their assets or income! Students eligible for the federal Perkins loan receive an annual allocation of $4,000. FAFSA must be completed every year beginning January 1 and no later than March 2 to meet the priority deadline date.
Q: What is the aggregate Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan limit for the graduate students?
A: The U.S. Department of Education permits all eligible recipients to receive a lifetime amount of $138,500 in Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans including undergraduate and any graduate loans received. However, no more than $65,500 can come from the Direct Subsidized loan.
Q: What if I have exhausted my annual Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility and I still have not reached the cost of attendance. How do I secure additional loans?
A: The students will have a choice to borrow a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan or obtain credit-based private education loan. Both of these loans have a credit review requirement, however the Direct Graduate PLUS loan has a fixed 7.9% interest rate while private loans have a variable rate. The repayment options for private loans are the same as the federal loans, but the interest rate is assigned based on the borrower’s FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) score. Oftentimes, students have not acquired enough credit to establish a viable credit history, and the lender may ask for a co-borrower. The loan funds are disbursed through the university and not directly to the student.
Need Access Application & Need-Based Grants
Q: Do you require that I submit parental information for the Need Access application?
A: We do require parental information for the Need Access application unless a student falls into one of several categories. To see a listing of these categories, please click here.
Q: My taxes will not be completed prior to your deadline. Is it OK to use estimates when completing the Need Access application?
A: It is fine to use your best estimates when completing the Need Access application. You will need to update your application online at www.needaccess.org once you do actually file your tax return, no later than May 1. Need Access applications that do not reflect the actual federal income tax figures after May 1 will not be considered for the need-based grant. If you are offered and accept admission, then we will notify you if we need any forms or documents. Until then, you are not required to send us any tax forms. Please note that if your file is selected for verification, a hold may be placed on your financial aid disbursement until we receive your tax returns.
Summer Work-Study
Q: What do I do first?A: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the processor before March 2 for each upcoming academic year.
Q: Are there any other forms I need to submit?
A: Yes. In addition to the FAFSA, students can submit a completed Summer Work-Study Application to the Law School Financial Aid Office.
Q: What kind of agencies participate in work-study and how do they sign up?
A: Government agencies or community based not-for-profit organizations can be considered for participation in the program by submitting an Off-Campus Employer Agency Agreement to the Work-Study Office. If the agency has not participated in the Work-Study Program previously, the agency representative (not the student) needs to contact the Work-Study Office at (310) 206-0446 to request an agreement packet.
Q: How will I know that I have received summer work-study?
A: When a student's FAFSA is processed by the central processing system, the UCLA Financial Aid Office will electronically confirm the student's FAFSA information. Once confirmed, the student's eligibility for work-study is determined and a summer electronic Financial Aid Notification (eFAN) is sent to the student.
Q: How do I inform the Work-Study office where I intend to work?
A: When the student has accepted his/her summer eFAN, a Job Referral Form, will be generated, and the LSFAO will notify each student. It is imperative that students respond to the summer eFANs, immediately, otherwise the Job Referral cannot be issued. Once you receive your Job Referral Form, an authorized employer must complete it and the entire form must be presented to the appropriate office to complete payroll paperwork.
Q: Are there any documents I need to turn in before I start working?
A: Before you can begin working, you must first visit the Work-Study Office during their office hours to complete payroll documents. Students must bring the following to the office visit: 1. Job Referral Form completed by an approved employer, 2. An acceptable picture ID (Driver's License or Passport) and 3. A social security card (non-citizens must also present a permanent resident card).
Q: What is my hourly rate?
A: The hourly rate for all work study students is $10.00, even if the employer advertises the position at a higher rate of pay. Students who choose to work part time or those who accept full time employment of less than 40 hours per week will not be eligible to receive a higher pay rate to maximize their earning potential.
Q: How and when do I get paid?
A: You need to complete and sign a biweekly timesheet for each period worked. An authorized agency representative must then approve and submit the timesheet to the Work-Study Office by faxing it to (310) 794-4443. However, School of Law Summer Government Fellows must fax their biweekly timesheet to Carlo Chupina at (310) 825-5376. Paydays are scheduled every other Wednesday. It is recommended, especially if you plan to work out-of-the area, that you select the direct deposit option to receive your earnings. This option would deposit funds directly into a bank account of your choice. To select this option, you must provide a deposit slip or voided check to the Work-Study Office at the time of your appointment. If you choose to deposit into a savings account, bring your savings passbook to the appointment. If you do not select the direct deposit option, you must pick up your check on scheduled paydays. Paychecks will not be mailed.
Q: What happens if I begin working prior to receiving authorization?
A: Any student who begins employment without written approval from the Work-Study Office will jeopardize the agency's ability to participate in future periods. Furthermore, the agency will be responsible for 100% of the hours worked by the unauthorized participant, not UCLA's payroll department.
Q: How many hours may I work under the program?
A: Summer Law students are allowed to work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Any hours worked in excess of the weekly limit are charged to the agency at 100% of the student's rate. Students should know that under the Fair Employment Standard Act of 1938, employers are prohibited from accepting voluntary services from any paid employee. Students employed under the Federal Work-Study program must be paid for all hours worked.
Q: What happens if I work in excess of my summer award?
A: Your award represents the total amount you may earn during the eligible employment period. Your participation ends when you have earned your entire allocation. The central payroll office may choose to bill your agency for the extra earnings; however, Carlo Chupina will discontinue processing timesheets for School of Law Summer Government Fellowship Fellows who exceed their award allocation.
If you have any questions regarding the Work-Study Program or the payroll process, please contact the FWS Office at the following number, (310) 206-0446. Law Students receiving School of Law Summer Government funds should direct their questions to the law school's Human Resource Office at (310) 206-3322.
Thank you for your interest in the UCLA School of Law. The statements below are some of the most frequently asked financial aid questions by prospective transfer law students. We thought it is useful to share them with website visitors.
Transfer Students